Sierra Foothills Annual Mountain Mandarin Festival

The Mountain Mandarin Festival is held each year on the weekend before Thanksgiving @ the Grounds, Roseville, CA (formerly at the Auburn Fairgrounds in Auburn, California). What began as a modest local gathering has steadily grown into one of the Sierra Nevada foothill region’s most beloved and well-attended annual events. Families, food lovers, artisans, and travelers from across Northern California—and increasingly from farther afield—look forward to the Festival as the unofficial kickoff to the holiday season. At its core, the event celebrates the arrival of the new crop of locally grown Mountain Mandarins, a fruit that has become a defining agricultural treasure of Placer County. Sweet, seedless, easy to peel, and packed with bright, refreshing flavor, these mandarins embody the natural abundance and small-town charm that make this foothill community unique.

The Festival marks the official start of the Placer County Mountain Mandarin season, a milestone eagerly anticipated by growers who work year-round to cultivate the region’s signature citrus. Throughout the weekend, as many as 30,000 visitors make their way to the fairgrounds from the San Francisco Bay Area, the Sacramento Valley, and even Reno, all eager for a firsthand taste of the fresh harvest. Guests can sample a wide range of mandarin treats—from fresh fruit to marinades, baked goods, sauces, and specialty drinks—while exploring artisan booths (and my annual poster display), specialty food vendors, cooking demonstrations, and live entertainment. The atmosphere blends agriculture, creativity, and community in a way that feels welcoming, spirited, and distinctly local.

Since its inception in 1994, the Mountain Mandarin Festival has proudly upheld a tradition of commissioning an illustrated event poster each year. These posters have become cherished keepsakes, capturing not only the visual identity of each Festival but also the evolving story of the region itself. In 2007, I had the good fortune of meeting festival director Gary Gilligan. His passion for the event and his enthusiasm for bold, engaging artwork led to a lasting creative partnership. For many subsequent years, it has been my pleasure to design these posters, each one reflecting the orchards, colors, and celebratory energy that define the Festival.

Every poster provides an opportunity to highlight the natural beauty of mandarin season, the warmth of the community, and the joyful anticipation that surrounds this annual celebration. Contributing to this longstanding tradition remains one of the most rewarding and meaningful aspects of my work, and I continue to feel honored to help visually preserve the heritage, harvest, and heart of this vibrant foothill event.